The Old Irish water jugs shown in Fig. 30 are of the earliest type. That on the left is the pattern most often seen and most generally copied; in fact, during the Early Victorian era most jugs were of this design. It, however, originated in the Irish factories.
The centre piece, as well as the jug on the right, are both rare; possibly the style was not often repeated. Certainly the tremendous handle placed upon the centre one gives it a most clumsy appearance, while, in regard to the one on the right, one cannot help feeling there is something wanting at the base. They were improved upon towards the middle of the nineteenth century, when smaller handles and firmer bases were added to the design.
It is curious to note how in this kind of glass the strawberry, or flat, square style of cutting, prevails. Traces of it appear upon almost every article, so that it was evidently a favourite form of decoration, and was possibly regarded as a relief from the flat, scalloped, or slip cutting then in vogue.
On the plate ([Fig. 33]) there are examples of sugar basins or bowls, in which the cutting is of the same kind, save that the specimen on the right is “flat” cut, with cut steps. This variety is particularly rare, and consequently highly prized among collectors. They are usually of stout, heavy glass, the cutting being very deep and the edges of the “flats” sharp. These traits will, of course, not help the collector to discriminate between the veritable antique and its modern replica. But it should be borne in mind that the modern is invariably more brilliant, has a whitish look, and is “cleaner” in every detail than the real glass of this period.
It may be mentioned that the centre bowl, although particularly attractive, is by no means so rare as other specimens figured in this chapter. Indeed, pieces of this character and design are frequently to be procured. Still, a genuine piece is well worth the collector’s attention.
The same plate ([Fig. 33]) illustrates some rare pickle or jam jars, displaying among them all the principal cuttings then in vogue. The end one on the right is the only exception, having an engraved ornamentation. These specimens are frequently copied, but originals are still to be obtained.
The Cork houses, the product of which was finer and slighter than other Irish glass, turned out a great quantity of these. Prices run from six guineas upwards. They are copied in great number in Holland, often in small sizes and with flat cutting, so that care must be taken in choosing. Unfortunately the distinctive features—design, colour, and shape—all readily lend themselves to reproduction and, with increasing skill in imitation, make it exceedingly difficult to determine between the true and the false.
CHAPTER VII
CURIOUS AND FREAK GLASSES
HITHERTO we have confined our attention to what one may term the legitimate drinking glass in its different varieties. But there were many freak glasses and curious objects made of glass by our forefathers, and these have a special fascination for lovers of the antique. In some cases they appeal because of their quaintness and bizarrerie of form, in others because of their purpose, while other examples have little to commend them save their antiquity.
One curious specimen which I came across not long ago was a flask in the shape of a pair of bellows. The nozzle was closed by a cork, and there was a hole in one handle of the bellows by which it might be suspended from a nail in the wall. It was probably employed by some ancient apothecary or alchemist to hold drugs. I should hardly care to dogmatise as to its period, but it was unmistakably of English origin, and certainly quaint and interesting enough to be worth acquiring.